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Glycerol Phosphate Shuttle
The Glycerol Phosphate Shuttle generally is a mechanism that is used to regenerate NAD+ in order to be reused in the glycolysis pathway. This continuous supply of NAD+ allows for glycolysis to proceed and without it glycolysis would not longer be possible. The function of this particular shuttle is important when thinking about overall glucose oxidation. If NAD+ is constantly being regenerated into the glycolysis pathway that would mean that this would fuel the production of further downstream processes like the production of acetyl coenzyme A.

Reaction
To enter into the mitochondria and being used for the electron transport chain, dihydroxyacetone phosphate abstracts electrons from NADH and is reduced to glycerol 3-phosphate. The glycerol 3-phosphate is then passed by a mitochondrial glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. This protein is embedded into the membrane and is responsible for abstracting this electron from the glycerol 3-phosphate and attaching it to a second cofactor known as FAD+. This cofactor is attached to the protein and is reduced to FADH2 which finally passes the electron to Q. This newly reduced QH2 then enters the electron transport chain and allows oxidative phosphorylation to continue.

Form and Function
The glycerol phosphate shuttle gives the NADH, that is generated in the cytosol, the ability to enter into the mitochondria and contribute to oxidative phosphorylation. If this shuttle did not work, then there would be excess buildup of NADH in the cytosol. Having this shuttle, would mean that NADH can promptly enter the mitochondria at an appropriate pace and help the cell undergo oxidative phosphorylation more efficiently and eventually ATP.